Crystallization and melting behavior of nanoclay-containing polypropylene/poly(trimethylene terephthalate) blends

Abstract

This contribution concerns preparation and characterization of polypropylene (PP)/poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) melt-mixed blends in the presence of organically-modified montmorillonite nanoclays and functional compatibilizers. Immiscibility and nanocomposite formation were confirmed via transmission electron microscopy. An intercalated structure was observed by wide angle X-ray diffraction technique. Crystallization, and melting characteristics were studied by differential scanning calorimetry in both isothermal and non-isothermal modes, supplemented by temperature modulated DSC (TMDSC). A concurrent crystallization was found for both polymeric components in the blends. Whereas blending favored PP crystallizability, it interrupted that of PTT. The addition compatibilizers interfered with rate, temperature, and degree of crystallization of PP and PTT. On the contrary, nanoclays incorporation increased crystallizability of each individual component. However, as for blend nanocomposite samples, the way the crystallization behavior changed was established to depend on the type of nanoclay. Based on kinetic analysis, isothermal crystallization nucleation followed athermal mechanism, while that of non-isothermal obeyed thermal mode. Addition of nanoclays shifted nucleation mechanism from athermal to thermal mode

Characterization polyethylene terephthalate nanocomposites mixing with nano-silica and titanium oxide

“…If a comparison is made between blending recycled polymers with nanomaterials [7,8] some studies have found that a small load is sufficient to develop excellent properties without greatly increasing density and cost. It has been found that they have acted as a nuclear agent and accelerated the rate of crystallization of the polymer, increasing the melting resistance and viscosity of the polymers [9][10][11][12][13][14].The aim of this study is to develop, characterize and investigate, according to the filler content, blends of recycled PET with nano-silica and titanium oxide, in order to obtain materials used in the manufacture of parts used for design verification, shape verification, models for casting and medical application processes.…”

Development and characterization of novel polybutylene nanocomposites

“…33 Image given in Figure 5(e) for compatibilized reactions clearly indicates both the occurrence of exfoliation and intercalation, while the uncompatibilized image (Figure 5d) shows the intercalation of PB into the clay galleries. 34 …”

Tuning the nano/micro‐structure and properties of melt‐processed ternary composites of polypropylene/ethylene vinyl acetate blend and nanoclay: The influence of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters

“…Several studies have shown that small amounts of well dispersed organoclays have the ability to act as effective nucleating agents, which accelerates the crystallization of the PP matrix and increases its crystallinity. 28,29 In the case of the blend nanocomposites, Figures 1 and Detailed regarding sample abbreviation can be found in Experimental section and Table I.…”